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The Nigerian Senate has passed, at second reading, a bill designed to reduce extreme poverty and strengthen social protection through a nationwide Social Welfare Service.
Sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the bill seeks to consolidate and enhance existing welfare interventions across Nigeria.
Senator Kalu emphasised that despite numerous programmes over the years, millions of Nigerians still lack access to necessities due to the absence of a central, coordinated, and data-driven institution.
The proposed Social Welfare Service would operate under the ministry responsible for humanitarian affairs, with offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, ensuring welfare programmes reach every region.
Responsibilities would include food and cash transfers, education stipends, housing support, subsidies for marginal farmers, credit schemes, and allowances for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The bill also provides for the creation of safety centres nationwide and a national register of beneficiaries and programme graduates to improve accountability and track long-term outcomes.
Eligibility criteria target households earning less than ₦5,000 per month, day labourers earning less than ₦3,000 per job, low-income artisans, subsistence farmers, and residents of slum communities, aiming to prevent political interference.
Lawmakers gave the bill unanimous support, citing its potential to eliminate corruption, improve efficiency, and ensure transparency.
It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Public Service, which is expected to report back in four weeks.
